New Zealand Air Force flying boat Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina (tail number XX-S) in flight over ocean waters in search of Japanese submarines of the Imperial Navy. Pacific Theater of Combat Operations, World War II.
Under the wings of the Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina flying boat are mounted ASV radar antennas, capable of detecting not only a surfaced enemy submarine, but also one moving under a snorkel.
Location: Pacific Ocean
Time when the photo was taken: 1944
Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina is a World War II maritime patrol seaplane, developed by the American company Consolidated Aircraft Corporation (PB – patrol bomber, Y – Consolidated company index). The most widespread of its kind – in total more than 3 thousand aircraft of this type were built. The plane was named “Catalina” after the resort island of Santa Catalina off the coast of California. It was used as a passenger, transport, reconnaissance, search and rescue, anti-submarine and night bomber.
Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina flying boats were produced throughout World War II in several modifications and were actively used by the Allies in the Pacific and European theaters. Built in the USA and Canada in the 1930s and 1940s. They were in service until 1982 (Brazil). Some copies continue to be used to this day.
In the USSR, a small batch of Catalina was produced under license. Also, towards the end of World War II, the aircraft was supplied to the USSR Navy as part of military assistance.